Topic: Nature

From the Mailbag

Written on May 17, 2019 at 5:43 am, by

Dear Editor, Friends of the San Juans has been committed to protecting our environment since 1979. Throughout those forty years, Friends’ dedication to that mission has never wavered. This is why I support the Friends and serve on the board. A major issue still facing the San Juans is the seven-fold increase in tanker traffic  Continue Reading

Youth Heritage Project

Written on May 9, 2019 at 5:35 am, by

Here’s an educational and recreational opportunity for high school aged youth and teachers… It’s the Youth Heritage Project (YHP) – an annual multi-day heritage field school that engages participants by connecting them to historic, cultural, and natural resources in Washington. YHP engages students hands-on as they expand their knowledge about historic preservation and develop an  Continue Reading

Rock Flowers

Written on May 8, 2019 at 9:29 am, by

Kevin Holmes shares this photo of flowers growing out of the rocks at the shoreline. Tenacious little things, don’t you think? Thanks for sharing Kevin!

Living in the Future’s Past

Written on May 3, 2019 at 5:48 am, by

“Can looking at evolution help us predict the future of humanity?” – Jeff Bridges Friday Harbor Film Festival invites you to a free screening of the award winning documentary, Living in the Future’s Past on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Brickworks. Academy Award winner, Jeff Bridges shares the screen with scientists, profound  Continue Reading

Climate Change Prevention: Eco-Friendly Changes You Can Make to Fight Global Warming

Written on April 16, 2019 at 8:48 am, by

The following article was written by Neil Stawski… As much as the skeptics and critics might try to deny climate change, the signs that it’s a critical issue are all around us. The evidence of global warming can be found in the death of our coral reefs due to the increased temperatures of our ocean  Continue Reading

Ocean Outbreak

Written on April 12, 2019 at 5:44 am, by

Book Talk: Drew Harvell will discuss her book, Ocean Outbreak: Confronting the Rising Tide of Marine Disease. This presentation will include updates on Sea Star Wasting Disease and salmon health in our Puget Sound waters. Drew is a local author and resident scientist at Friday Harbor Laboratories. A book signing and reception will follow the  Continue Reading

Welcome to the 2019 WSU San Juan County Master Gardener Interns

Written on April 2, 2019 at 2:00 pm, by

Congratulations to the 28 community members who completed 60 hours of classroom and online training on vegetable and fruit gardening, use of native plants, forestry, ornamentals and landscape gardening, composting, plant problem diagnosis, pest control and integrated pest management, soils and more to become WSU Master Gardener Interns. As Interns, volunteers contribute 50 hours of  Continue Reading

April 4th is Arbor Day in Friday Harbor

Written on April 1, 2019 at 2:48 pm, by

The Town of Friday Harbor will celebrate its second annual Arbor Day this Thursday, April 4, 2019. The public is invited to join in recognizing the event. Mayor Ghatan will be issuing a proclamation for Arbor Day during the Town Council meeting and the Parks Department will plant an Easter Red Bud on Argyle Avenue  Continue Reading

BUZZ: The Nature and Necessity of Bees

Written on March 22, 2019 at 1:47 pm, by

Griffin Bay Bookstore is proud to announce that San Juan Island author, Thor Hanson, author of The Triumph of Seeds and Feathers, has won his third Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association award, receiving the 2019 PNBA award for BUZZ: The Nature and Necessity of Bees. Please join us at the San Juan Island Library when Griffin  Continue Reading

A Change of Seasons?

Written on March 18, 2019 at 5:50 am, by

Winter is almost over – Spring is officially only a few days away and it shows. Crocuses are popping all over the place.

Catkin Garden Design & Consulting

Written on March 14, 2019 at 5:48 am, by

Meet Jenny Harris of Catkin Design. Jenny has recently started a new garden design and consulting business here in Friday Harbor. “Catkin is a new iteration of my horticultural life” she says. Originally called appropriate horticulture, what Jenny does is now called Ecological Design – a self sustaining kind of garden design that is supportive of  Continue Reading

2019 Annual Master Gardeners Native Plant Sale

Written on March 7, 2019 at 5:45 am, by

The annual Master Gardeners Native Plant Sale is coming soon! Just in time for spring planting – and spring is coming. There are hundreds of natives in containers, including flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees. Plants from the Salish Seeds project are included. They grow species native to county grasslands, oak savannahs and prairies. Plants are  Continue Reading

Leviathan Delusion in Paradise Lost

Written on March 7, 2019 at 5:45 am, by

In the SJ Update Mailbag this morning, we have this letter from Steve Ulvi… Glancing at caller ID on a recent snowy morning, I guessed that my old Alaska pal, Archie was riled up about something.   Most likely a retaliatory shot in response to the brow-beating I served up previously. I had been pretty steamed  Continue Reading

Garry Oak Lecture Series

Written on February 28, 2019 at 5:48 am, by

Garry Oak Prairie: A Unique Habitat (Lecture Series) What are Garry Oaks and how do Garry Oak habitats support the ecology of the San Juan Islands and the Pacific Northwest? Join experts from San Juan Island and beyond March 8,15, 22 and 29 at the San Juan Island Grange to learn about the history of  Continue Reading

Know Your Islanders Talk

Written on February 28, 2019 at 5:46 am, by

Adam Summers – The Sea: Inspiration for Art and Science Dr. Adam Summers, who runs the Comparative Vertebrate Biomechanics Lab at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, will present a naturalist’s opinion on nature as a source of inspiration for art and science.   Monday, March 4 at 7 pm San Juan Island Library Free Refreshments will  Continue Reading

What Birds Are These?

Written on February 14, 2019 at 1:28 pm, by

We received this photo from Ruth Offen, “Just saw this gathering of I think commerants or loons all floating together. First thought it was herring ball, but not. Have you or anybody else seen this sight before?” Click on the photo to enlarge the image and if you know these birds and what they are doing please  Continue Reading

Humming Bird in Snow

Written on February 13, 2019 at 5:36 am, by

Thanks to Richard W. Wright for this great photo (Taken Feb 12, 2019)… 

Roy Island and Dream Lake at Lakedale

Written on February 11, 2019 at 5:35 am, by

Thanks to John Miller for this drone shot at 300 ft elevation, of Roy Island and Dream Lake at Lakedale Sunday morning… click on photo to enlarge image.

Snow Covered Logs at Third Lagoon

Written on February 9, 2019 at 5:40 am, by

Thanks to Nancy DeVaux for this photo of snow yesterday at third lagoon… click on photo for larger image…

Snow in San Juan Valley

Written on February 9, 2019 at 5:35 am, by

Thanks to Colleen Bennett for this photo of yesterday’s snow… 

The Eagle and the Hawk

Written on February 7, 2019 at 5:30 am, by

Thanks to John Miller for this great photo… click to enlarge photo.

Dinner and Movie at Cynthia’s Bistro Celebrates Mushrooms

Written on February 5, 2019 at 5:30 am, by

Joining together once again Cynthia’s Bistro at 65 Nichols Street and Friday Harbor Film Festival… Please join us on Thursday, February 7 at 5:00 pm for an evening of an informative movie from the archives of Friday Harbor Film Festival and a creative dinner by Cynthia’s complimenting the film. As you learn about the magic  Continue Reading